StoneBridge And Broadwater face off on Big Saturday February 28, 2009
Posted by Steve Elliott in basketball, boys, girls.add a comment
Five games. Three venues. Ultimately, two schools would be left standing to face off on a Big Saturday to remember in the Metro conference.
To start things off, the semi and final rounds of the JJV 8 boys and girls tournaments took place in Isle of Wight (girls) and Atlanti Shores (boys). On the boys side, StoneBridge won their semi final game whih set up a re-match with Broadwater, which had pegged SBS JJV 8 boys with their lone conference defeat earlier in the season. On the girls side, SBS’s young team extended its record to 11-3 in a thrilling double overtime victory over top-ranked Portsmouth Christian. It was sweet revenge for SBS after losing the lead and the game in overtime at PCS during the regular season. Christina Cash and Ellen Lee led the way for the Cavs in what turned out to be a 2:15 marathon that pushed Coach Cal and his team’s second game to a mid afternoon start.
By the time the girls hit the floor for their final, the JJV8 boys were putting the finishing touches on their conferene championship. Luke Unsworth and Josepth Gutshaw led the way throughout the season and are setting themselves up to be a solid inside-outside threat for SBS basketball throughout their high school careers. On the girls side, Broadwater proved to be too much but our girls continued to play hard until the final whistle. The season? A tremendous success: 11-4 record, the second place trophy in the conference tournament and a bright future for these young girls.
Coach Cal, whose day began with the trek 30 miles west to Isle of Wight for a 10am game, darted out of the gym some time passed 3pm and began the long trip to Broadwater for the boys game. Unfortunately for our boys, they fell at Broadwater, dropping them to fourth in the conference. But the day was a tremendous success, especially with two competitive schools facing off in three venues. I’m still a relative newbie to the Metro, but I can say that Broadwater is earning a fine reputation with me. Their teams always are prepared. Their kids always play hard and with respect. Their fans are cordial. I couldn’t think of a better team to face on Big Saturday.
Cavaliers Post Rare Sweep Of Fourpleheader February 21, 2009
Posted by Steve Elliott in basketball, boys, girls.add a comment
Dateline: Feburary 19, 2009
How much fun can one school’s basketball program have in one day? The StoneBridge Cavaliers basketball program, with players ranging from the sixth to twelfth grads, swept four games on three courts today in a rare “fourpleheader.”
The action got started with the JJV boys Metro tournament first round game in which the #1 ranked Cavs defeated Portsmouth Christian behind the solid play of Luke Unsworth and Joseph Gutworth. After a tight first half, the Cavs pulled away in the second half to advance to the second round.
Next up: the Lady Cavs JV team, which has been steadily gaining strength and building momentum. In this their last regular season game, the Cavs needed a win to secure the third seed in the conference tournament. Coach Crowe’s girls took a lead into halftime and then held off Hampton Christian’s strong charge in the second half. The hard work and commitment of these girls is paying off.
Game three: After Senior Sarah Tabb received her 1,000-point ball from Athletic Director Woolard, the Lady Cavs breezed to their 66th consecutive Metro Conference win. The Lady Cavs will have the opportunity next week to extend this remarkable streak to 69 games in the Metro tournament.
The nightcap involved a trip to Isle of Wight for a rare evening game or the JJV girls team, who entered their tournament as the 4th ranked team and were seeking to avenge an earlier loss to Williamsburg Christian. It turned out to be a defensive struggle and the low-scoring affair came down to a final defensive stop by the young Lady Cavs who advanced to the semi-finals.
Whew! Over 40 kids on three courts spread out across about 40 miles.
Va-Pilot Story February 29, 2008
Posted by Steve Elliott in basketball, boys, girls.add a comment
Here’s the Va-Pilot’s story, online.
Girls boxscore:
Intro to the story:
By DAN COOLEY Special to The Virginian-Pilot For the first time, StoneBridge played host for both the boys and girls quarterfinals in the state private school basketball tournament as the higher seeds.
Girls Win, Boys Are Winners! February 28, 2008
Posted by Steve Elliott in basketball, boys, girls.Tags: basketball, boys
add a comment
I suppose we all left the gym tonight with mixed emotions. Our Lady Cavs managed a strong win over their opponent. Can’t recall the score but we were +20 or so. Our girls seem to be getting a step faster as the season progresses. They are working well as a unit. Their press is getting tougher. Ashlea and Sarah seem to be even more dominant.
Audio from tonite’s game here. Click on “girls basketball.”
Seems the girls got their nerves out of the way in this game, specifically the first half. After halftime, we turned up the pressure. Caitlyn Walsh nailed some threes along the way. Caitlyn Unsworth played her normal great game. We got some great bench play from Anna and Rachel. Sometimes — maybe especially in the playoffs — it can be tougher to play at home. Away games get the team, well, away. It’s “us against them” on the road. Tomorrow, the girls go on the road — Reston I believe. I think they’ll come out charging. There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain. Go for it, girls!
Victors in Defeat
The boys had a heartbreaking loss to a very determined Tidewater Academy. Tidewater was out-sized certainly, but they played a disciplined game, got some good bounces, made their free throws and hit a few real clutch shots at the end. But we’re not confused — the Cavaliers boys are winners. They won every time they stepped on the court. They worked and worked and worked. They took on several much larger schools and always contended, always kept their composure, always showed respect for the game, the coaches, the refs.
It happens. Anyone who has played any organized game knows that sometimes the shots don’t seem to fall. And this crew also learned another life lesson — the burden of success. After the game, Coach Cal said to me that a few years ago, we wouldn’t have all felt this much heartbreak for a loss in boys basketball. But last year changed everything, and this team and their coaches did a tremendous job carrying the mantle of “State Champions.”
Let’s hear it for the fans!
Wow– what a scene tonight! Great fun. Great intensity. Great cheerleading. Great homemade shakers. Great concessions. And Cavaliers Club members even got some free popcorn and drinks!
I hope others will use this space to extend their thoughts and appreciation to the team, to the coaches and to the administration for creating this environment for SBS to come together and unite… like a small town… like a family of friends… always keeping things in perspective. There are bigger fish to fry for these boys. And the lessons they’ve learned are invaluable. Thanks, Coach Cal. Thanks guys. For a great season!
Feel free to “comment” to this post — open to all without registering. Even better… comment and then click on “wanna blog” above and become a contributor and write some articles!
